The shrill ring of a phone echoed through the dimly lit room. Evan sat by his desk, his fingers tapping on his chair's armrest while his eyes remained focused on the digital display before him. The caller ID flashed "Rajesh."
With a resigned sigh, Evan picked up the call.
"Evan, things are getting way out of hand now," Rajesh began without a pause, his voice laced with frustration and anxiety. "Things are becoming too chaotic."
Evan nodded silently, letting Rajesh vent.
"I suggest we bow down to the Federation. That's our only way," Rajesh pressed on, his tone growing more desperate. "If you keep resisting, even Indra will suffer, and everyone along with it."
Rajesh's words ca in a rush, his nervousness evident as he tried to reason with Evan. "You can't just destroy the lives of so many people for your personal goals. There is a limit to this, Evan. Do you even understand that?"
Evan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
He could feel the tension in Rajesh's voice; he wasn't just worried—he was terrified. Being the Pri Minister of Indra in such turbulent tis had put an unbearable burden on his shoulders. The pressure from allied nations and adversaries alike was imnse. Even Indra's friendly nations were demanding answers, while others were using the chaos as an opportunity to impose their dominance and tighten their grip.
Rajesh knew there was no room for negotiation with the Federation now. Their ssage was chillingly clear: Evan had to die.
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Breaking the silence, Evan finally spoke, his voice calm and asured. "I agree with you. But my surrender won't change anything. They've already labeled as a threat. Stepping forward would only make things worse."
Rajesh hesitated, startled by Evan's unexpected concession.
"Then what do you suggest?" he asked warily.
Evan's gaze darkened as he delivered his answer. "Bomb the place."
Rajesh's breath hitched. "Huh?" He was so startled he nearly dropped the phone. "What are you planning now, Evan?"
"Declare a terrorist," Evan explained, his tone chillingly devoid of emotion. "Have your forces surround Nicobar Island. Make it look like you're taking a stand against . If things escalate, bomb the entire island. Wipe it out of existence."
Rajesh was too stunned to speak for a mont as he struggled to process his words. When he finally found his voice, it ca out as a hoarse whisper. "And what about you? What are you going to do?"
"That's my problem," Evan replied curtly. "Your job is to follow my instructions. Do what I've told you. Also, secure your position, tighten your security, and trust no one. I will station a few guards near you to ensure your safety. Don't let anyone unfamiliar get close."
Rajesh's mind raced as he listened, the weight of Evan's words suffocating him. He knew Evan was trying to protect Indra, but the sheer ruthlessness of his plan left him shaken.
Evan continued, his voice cutting through his thoughts, sharp and resolute. "I already made a mistake once by letting that anonymous individual et Daniel. It backfired into a disaster. I won't repeat the mistake again. I can't allow these guys to manipulate anyone on our side until I have fully understood what they're capable of."
Rajesh wanted to argue, to protest for another way, but the sheer determination in Evan's tone left no room for debate.
"Now do as I've said," Evan concluded before abruptly cutting the call.
He placed the phone down and turned, only to freeze in his tracks. Standing at the doorway were his parents, Roy and Claire, their faces etched with worry, their eyes searching his for answers.
Claire was the first to speak, her voice trembling. "Evan… what's happening? We've been hearing things—terrible things. Are you alright?"
Evan let out a soft chuckle, though it was devoid of any humor. "Everything was going according to plan. But then… sothing unexpected happened. Soone—or perhaps sothing—intervened. It's not just a superhuman, Mom. It might be an extraterrestrial being."
"Extraterrestrial?" Claire's voice rose, and her eyes widened in shock.
Evan then relayed the entire thing to his parents.
"They can see soone's mories just by touching them?" Claire whispered, her voice barely audible.
Evan nodded grimly, his expression somber.
Claire clasped her hands over her mouth, her gaze darting to her husband. "Roy… this is beyond anything we could have imagined."
Roy's frown deepened as he considered Evan's words. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but laced with unease. "I don't know how to say this, but… I've always had a feeling there were alien influences at work behind the scenes. Sothing about the world… that just doesn't add up."
Evan tilted his head, intrigued. "What do you an?"
Roy leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "Look at the rapid advancents in the 20th century. Humans had been making steady progress by researching and making inventions for centuries, but the speed of technological progress in that one century was extraordinary, almost unnatural. It's as if too many geniuses appeared out of nowhere."
Claire's eyes darted between her husband and son as she whispered, "You think aliens were involved?"
Roy nodded. "Take the World Wars, for instance. Those conflicts didn't just reshape nations; they sped up technological innovation at an unprecedented pace. Radar, jet engines, atomic bombs… all happened in such a short span. I wouldn't be surprised if extraterrestrial beings had a hand in it."
Evan leaned back, his mind racing. His father's conjecture, while speculative, had a certain logic to it. He couldn't dismiss it outright.
Since the start, the accumulation of human progress in science has been slow and steady but this changed with the start of the 20th century, which saw breakneck advancents.
Claire reached out, her hand resting gently on Evan's arm. "What are we going to do now, Evan? How do we fight sothing like this?"
Evan's gaze hardened as he t his mother's worried eyes. "We adapt," he said firmly. "We've faced impossible odds before. This won't be any different."
Roy nodded slowly, though concern could be seen in his expression. "Just promise us one thing, son. Don't lose yourself in this fight. You're not alone—we're here for you."
Evan managed a faint smile, though the weight of the world seed to press heavier on his shoulders. "I know. And I promise I won't let it affect my thinking nor will I let it get into my head."
The room fell silent, the air thick with unspoken fears and uncertainties. But amidst the chaos, one truth remained clear: the battle ahead would test them all in ways they had never imagined.
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